Electric flatiron and the like



July 11, 1944. c. w. ELsENHElMER ELECTRIC FLATIRON AND THE LIKE Filed June 6, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR CHARLES W ELSENHE/MEE y 1944. c. w. ELSENHEIMER ,3

ELECTRIC FLATIRON AND THE vLIKE Filed June 6, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR C/m/azs W EL SENHE/ME/E BY m iw W ATTOR E Patented July 11, 1944 2,353,151 ELECTRIC FLATIRQN AND THE LIKE Charles W. Elsenlieimer, Meriden,

Conn, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Manning, Bowman & 00., Meriden, Conn., a corporation of Delaware Application June 6, 1940, Serial No. 339,064

16 Claims.

This invention relates to domestic heating irons and the like.

One object of the invention is a novel and improved iron structure whereby the lateral pull or drag of the electric supply Gold is substantially reduced, thereby contributing to the ease and facility of manipulating the iron during the ironing operation and reducing substantially the wear and strains upon the cord.

A further object of the invention is a domestic heating iron of the automatic type characterized by a novel and improved construction and assembly of adjusting mechanism.

A further object of the invention is a domestic heating iron which is characterized by the simplicity of its parts, and the facility with which it may be assembled.

Further objects of after appear.

For a better understanding of the invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application wherein:

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an iron embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view along the line 3-4 of Fig. 1;

the invention will herein- Fig. 4 is a sectional view along the line 4-4- of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view along the line 5--5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view along the line 5-6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the iron; and

Figs. 8 to 12 are views of details of the iron.

taching means for a cover plate l2 which bridges the feet H and closes the opening between the rear edge of the shell 4 and the rear edge of the sole plate 2, the forward end Of this plate resting on a shoulder 2' formed on the sole plate 2. At-

taching screws are indicated at l3 for attaching the plate l2 to the iron. The shell 4. is formed with attaching parts l5 which are firml gripped between the bridges l0 and the bosses l and an asbestos washer H5 is disposed between the bosses and insert 1, 8 on the one hand and the shell parts l5 and pressure plate parts H! on the other, the screws 9 thus firmly anchoring the rear end of the handle to the frame of the iron.

The shell 4 and the pressure plate 3 are pro vided with openings between the bosses 'I to accommodate the lead wires l8 which lead into the iron from the common conductor or cord 19. The rear leg 6 of the handle is formed on its under surface with a cylindrical cavity 2| and a cuplike shell 22 of any suitable material, as, for example, of drawn metal, is disposed in this cavity with the open mouth of the cup-like member disposed downwardly. This member 22 is provided with an opening centrally of its bottom and is swivelled for free oscillating movements in the Referring to the drawings, the invention is illustrated as embodied in a domestic heating iron having a handle grip l, a sole plate 2, a, pressure plate 3 and a top shell l. The handle grip l is provided with a. front leg or support 5 and a rear support or leg (-5, and the grip l and legs 5 and 6 are, in the particular embodiment shown, molded into a single piece or unit of suitable in sulating material. The leg 6 has formed on the bottom thereof a pair of downwardl extending bosses or lugs l for formin a means of attachmerit to the shell 4 and the pressure plate 3. Each of the bosses l is provided with a metallic insert 8 having a screw-threaded recess therein for the reception of a fastening screw 9. The rear end of the pressure plate 3 is turned upwardly to form. bridges or bases l0 through which the screws 9 pass and upon which the bosses 'l with their inserts 8 rest. The pressure plate 3 terminates at its rear into feet ll forming atcavity by means of a screw 23, this screw being screwed up into a recess formed in the handle member and passing through the opening in member 22. The screw 23 forms a pivot for the cup-like shell 22, this screw having a shoulder 23' which forms a bearing for the cup-like shell. This swivelled shell 22 is provided with a transverse opening 22' through its circular side wall for the accommodation of the cord Ill. The leg or rear part 6 of the handle is provided with a lateral slot 25 for the accommodation of the cord Hi, this slot extending beyond both sides of the vertical central axis plane of the iron to permit the swivelling of the conductor l9 and the.

swivel member 22 through an angle of approximately that is, 50 on each side of the central axial vertical plane.

In the particular embodiment shown the cord i9 is further reinforced and supported at its entrance into the iron structure as follows:

A gasket 28 of any suitable material, as, for example, rubber, immediately surrounds the cord is at its entrance into the swivel shell and around this gasket is disposed an eyelet Zl, as, for ex ample, of brass or other suitable metal while the inner end 23' of a cord protecting member or sleeve 28, in the particular embodiment shown a cord protecting spring, having a couple cf enlarged turns 28', is disposed between the eyelet flange 2i and the back of the strain relief member 3a. This strain relief member 36 is also swivelled on the bearing 23' of the screw 23 and is formed with mean for engaging and supporting the cord IS at its point of entrance into the swivel member 22. For this purpose the strain reiief member 3!! is provided with a perforated arm or tab portion 3! which utilizes the shoul dered head of the pivot screw 23 as a bearing. This strain relief and/pivoting member 30 has formed at right angles to the bearing tab arm 3! a part which is provided with an extruded perforation 32 and against one side of this extruded part the enlarged two turns 28' of the cord spring 23 bear, while against the other side of this extruded portion bears the enlarged headed part 26 of the gasket 26. The eyelet 21' is also provided with a flange El" on its inner edge which protects the eyelet against outward displacement thereof in the opening 22' formed in the swivelled member 22 for the accommodation of the cord. This metallic eyelet 27 gives the closely wound turns of the cord spring 28 an adequate bearing surface at the cup side wall perforation 22'.

The strain relief member 30 is formed with a supporting and spacing leg 33 disposed at right angles to the part containing the extrusion 32, the rear edge of this part 33 engaging the interior oi the cylindrical swivelled shell member 22. After the entrance of the cord into the swivel cup, as, for example, at the point where the cord it leaves the gasket 26, the outer braid of the cord is cut away or dispensed with and over the conventional rubber insulated individual conductors iii of the cord are slipped insulating sleeves, as, for example, woven asbestos sleeves 34. The strain relief member 35 is provided with means for firmly gripping and anchoring the individual conductors i8 together with the asbestos sleeves 34. This means consists of clips 36 carried by arms 3? formed on the strain relief member 38, these arms 31' extending out parallel to the tab 3! and being disposed in a horizontal plane each at 90 from the tab 3!. These clips 36 are formed with openings sunlcient to accommodate the lateral disposal therein of the conductors 18 together with the asbestos sleeves 34, whereupon they are clinched to firmly grip the same (Fig. The strain relief member thus firmly grips and supports the conductor I?) at three points, first at the entrance of the cord into the swivel cup member 22, and then by means of the clips 36 engaging and supporting the individual conductors l8.

At their lower ends the asbestos sleeves on the conductors i8 are secured by means of the tab end clips at of a pair of formed metal terminal lugs 4!. The eyelet portion of each lug 4| is fastened by a screw 42 to one of the terminals 43, 434, while the central metallic parts of the conductors 18 are fastened and crimped between the lugs 4i and the corresponding terminal, the ends-of the conductors thus crimped being indicated by the numeral 45. As indicated above. there is a generous sized opening formed in the rear part of the top shelf 4 at a point immediately below the leg 6 of the handle to allow free movement of the asbestos sleeve enclosed cord conductors l8 during the turning of the swivel cup 22. The slot or notch 25 formed in the rear handle part 6 permits, as indicated above, the swivelling of the cord conductor I! through an approximate angle of 100, namely, 50 each side of the longitudinal, central, axial, vertical plane. The ends of this slot which are marked 25' form limiting stops for arresting the lateral swivelling movements of the cord [9, the eyelet or sleeve 21 engaging the ends 25' of this slot The upper and lower surfaces of the slot 25 are formed parallel to each other and preb erably the slot is just deep enough to accommodate the eyelet or sleeve 21 through which oxtends the cord IS in its free, lateral, oscillating and adjusting movements.

The terminals 43 and M lead to the heater elements embedded in the insulating material carried in a recess or recesses formed in the upper part of the sole plate 2, these heaters themselves being omitted for convenience in illustration. There are disposed in the heater circuit thermostatically controlled contacts 5! and 52, the contact 5| being carried by a spring arm 5! which is biased in an upward direction and the contact 52 being carried by a spring arm 52 which is biased in a downward direction.

The spring arm 5| is fastened to an adjusting member 53 which has an insulating disc 53' on the top thereof and this disc and adjusting arm can be actuated to different vertical positions to vary the temperature of the iron to be automatically maintained. A conventional thermostatic element 54 is illustrated for engaging the arm 52' at a predetennlned temperature depending upon the vertical position of the contact 52 to open the circuit. The thermostatic element 5% carries the conventional insulated button 55 which engages an adjusting screw 51 adjustably mounted on the end of the arm 52. The means for engaging the insulating disc 53' and arm 53 and adjusting its position to maintain the desired temperature comprises an adjusting screw 58 which threadedly engages the mid-section of an adjustable arm or lever 59. This lever is pivotally mounted at its fore end by means of a cotter pin inserted through embossed slots formed in the side elements 59' thereof, which cotter pin is also pivotally mounted in perforations of a pair of upturned pressure plate ears or lugs 6!. The cross section of the adjustable arm 59 is of channel form with the web up, the flanges of the channel decreasing in depth towards the rear end. At the rear end this lever 59 is formed with a downwardly turned operating finger or tab 62 which, in the particular embodiment shown, is formed at an acute angle thereto. This tab or finger 52 projects down through openings in the contact bearing spring plates 51' and 52 and in certain positions engages at its lower end the insulated metallic button 53' carried at the end of the spring arm 53, which, as indicated above, is attached to the lower spring arm 5|. As indicated, the position of the lower end of this tab or operating finger 52 determines the temperature setting of the iron. In its lowermost position it holds the arm 5| low enough to separate the contacts 5| and 52 and thus provides an off position for the iron. In the position indicated in Fig. 1 the setting is for maximum temperature maintenance.

The terminals 43 and 44 extend between the legs of a. U-shaped ceramic barrier member 65. The legs of this U-shaped barrier member extend rearwardly and the forward edge of the barrier is formed with a vertical depression or recess 65' on its outside to clear the screws there shown (Figs. 1 and 5). The terminal 42 continues into a right angle portion 42', which in turn passes through a supporting slot 55 formed in one leg of the barrier member 85. The other terminal 44 extends all the way back between dating the studl-l.

I the legs of the barrier member 85 and passes through a recess 81 formed on the bottom of the barrier member. This barrier member is not firmly anchored in position but is confined in a relatively definite location; in depth by the top shell 4 above it and the pressure plate 3 below it, longitudinally by the rear screw for which 85 is clearanced and the inclines of the bridges l8, and crosswise by its cutout 61 straddling the thermostat contact spring bracket.

The fore part of the iron is anchored to the pressure plate 3 and the sole plate 2 through a mounting bridge 18 whose feet bear upon the sole plate 2. The pressur plate 3 is fastened to the sole plate 2 'by means of the screws II and is formed with offset inner edges or parts 12 which bear upon the feet ll! of the bridge member 10 and are firmly fastened thereto as, for example, by welding. The top of the metallic shell 4 bears upon this bridge ill and is fastened or anchored thereto by means of a hollow threaded metal stud 13, this stud having a hexagon or other head to be engaged by a suitable socket wrench and having a shoulder 13' engaging the shell. For fastening this stud !3 screws down into a threaded opening formed in the boss 18 of the bridge. To the fore" part of the top of the shell 4 there is fastened a plate I5, the plate i5 resting upon three upwardly b'ossed perches 16 and riveted thereto by the rivets 11. This plate is provided with an opening for accommo- The front part or leg 5 of the handle is firmly fastened to the iron by means of a handle insert 88 molded in a vertical position into the handle part 5, said handle, as indicated above, being of suitable insulating material, as, for example, a phenol condensation product. The mounting plate 15 has formed centrally thereof and adjacent its forward end a circular opening ill with a slot 82 projecting rearwardly from said circular opening. This circular opening 8| is of the required dimensions to receive the insert 88 for the purpose of assem- 'bling the handle upon the iron. This insert 80 is formed adjacent its lower end with an annular groove 83 of a depth slightly greater than the thickness of the mounting plate 15 and the reduced section of the member 88 in this groove passes freely into the slot 82. The fore end of the handle. is thus fastened to the body of the iron by the locking of the lower end of the insert 88 into the slot or bayonet joint 82. or plate 85 is loosely positioned upon the plate I5 and is prevented from turning therein by means of three protuberances or bosses 88 formed on the fin 85 and extending down through registering openings in the plate 15. This member 85 isprovided on its under surface with depressions 81 corresponding to the heads of the rivets 11, thereby enabling the plate 85 to rest in contact with the plate 15.

The adjusting screw 58 is provided with a shoulder 88 resting against the lower end of the attaching stud 13 Or resting against a shoulder formed therein with the shoulder 88 forming a bearing for rotation of the screw and for anchoring it against upward movement. This ad justing screw 58 is carried by a spindle 89 and the upper end 88 of the spindle 88 is enlarged and is formed with a splined outer surface. An adjusting knob 9|, preferably of insulating material, is splined to the part 98, an insert 92 being disposed in a centrally disposed cavity on the lower side of the knob 8|. The plate or fin 85 is provided with a circular depression or reto lock in the slot 82.

ly larger than the knob 9! and the latter is disposed in this depression. On the bottom of this depression rests a. washer 84 and th insert in knob 8i rests on this washer. The washer 84 is provided with a central opening for the accommodation of the reduced part of the molded-in insert 82. The knob and the, insert thereby rotates centrally of the depression allowing the edge of the knob to slightly clear the washer 94. The splining of the upper part 90 of the screw member into the insert 92 permits the positioning of the adjusting knob for correct calibration of the irons temperature, that is, for factory setting. The knob 9| is provided with an annular cavity 86 on its under surface, this cavity completing the circle except for a small dividing partition 91. this transverse or dividing wall being, for example, /8" in thickness. The plate 85 is formed with an upstanding lug or boss 98 which is molded integrally therewith and projects up through a perforation or opening formed in the washer 94. This lug 98 projects up into the annular channel 86 and forms a stop for the knob 8| as the latter is rotated, this being effected by the dividing wall 91 engaging the stop to arrest the movement of the knob. This allows the knob to freely rotate 330 of a full turn. A phosphorbronze spring Hill projects up into a cavity formed in the fore part 5 of the handle which spring is provided with a spring arm at right angles thereto and engaging the upper surface of the knob 8|, the protruding portion or arm of this spring having a shallow embossed spot 18! bearing into a centrally disposed depression in the center of the adjusting knob. This spring eliminates any possibility of looseness of parts and consequent rattling. The fore part 5 of the handle is cut away on its inner side to accommodate the knob 8i and the insert 88 is also cut away on the side to accommodate the rotatable knob 9!. The opening in the rear part of the shell 4 is covered by the edges I82 and N3 of the rear handle part 8.

With the shell 4 and sole plate 2 assembled together with the thermostatic mechanism therein, the fin plate 85, the washer 94 and the knob 9i are positioned as indicated. With the cord l9 and conductors I8 assembled on the handle, as indicated, the conductors l8 are then fastened to the terminals 43 and 48. The fore part of the handle I is then brought into position with theinsert 88 passing through the circular opening 8| of the mounting plate l5whereupon the handle is slid backwards to cause the insert 88 The supports 1, 8 of the handle are then fastened by the'screws 9 to the parts In of the pressure plate. The plate I2 is then placed in position.

The plate or fin 85 and the mounting plate 15 also function to insulate the knob 9| and the handle against the heat of the iron. The fin or plate 85 also protrudes backwardly beyond the edge of the adjusting knob and provides a relatively cool part adjacent the thumb when the adjusting knob needs to be rotated for iron temperature setting. The rear part of the tin 85 may be utilized, as indicated, for carrying the words higher and lower, these words together with the arrows being embossed therein to give the user an indication as to the proper rotation of the knob for-raising or lowering the irons temperature; this in addition to the embossed and lacquer filled fabric designations illustrated on the top surface of the adjusting knob.

Amongst the advantages of the invention may be mentioned the following: The handle 1 is solid and the adjusting knob Si is mounted on the insulator plate 85 which in turn is mounted on the plate 15 and shell 5. The knob is floating and permits a variable setting, the projecting insulator fin or plate 35 protects the fingers against contact with hot metal and the metal and insulator plates act jointly to baiiie the heat flow. The parts of the adjusting mechanism are self-aligning and the forward end of the adjustable lever 59 has a self-seeking pivot in the form of short slots H through which the cotter pin H I passes. The pull or drag of the cord l9 as the iron is moved over the ironing surface is zero or reduced to a minimum, since the swivel 22 freely oscillates relatively to the iron to follow the pull or drag. The iron may rest upon its heel on the three point support formed by the projections I04 and )5 formed in the shell 4 and on the projection M8 on the rear end of the handle. The cord is protected against wear and bends at the entrance into the iron by the structure shown and described.

I claim:

1. In an electric heating iron, a main body part comprising a sole plate, a cover shell and an electric heating unit therein, a handle fastened to said body and having a cylindrical recess formed in the rear part thereof, a swivelling cupshaped member swivelled to the bottom of said recess for free oscillating movements, said swivel member having an opening in the side wall thereof and the rear part of said handle having a lateral slot formed to the rear of said recess and an electric cord passing through said slot and said opening in said swivel member for supplying electricity to the heating element.

2. In an electric heating iron, a main body part comprising a sole plate, a cover shell and an electric heating unit therein, a handle fastened to said body and having. a cylindrical recess formed in the rear part thereof, a swivelling cupshaped member swivelled to the bottom of said recess for free oscillating movements, said swivel member having an opening in the side wall thereof and the rear part of said handle having a lateral slot formed to the rear of said recess and an electric cord passing through said slot and said opening in said swivel member for supplying electricity to the heating element, and a strain relief .member also swivelled to rotate with said cuplike member, said strain member being firmly fastened to the cord at its point of entrance into the swivelling member.

3. In an electric heating iron, a main body part comprising a sole plate, a cover shell and an electric heating unit therein, fixed terminals within said body, a handle fastened to said body and having a cylindrical recess formed in the rear part thereof, a swivelling cup-shaped member swivelled to the bottom of said recess for free 0scillating movements, said swivel member having an opening in the side wall thereof and the rear part of said handle heaving an arcuate lateral slot formed to the rear of said recess and an electric cord passing through said slot and said opening in said swivel member for supplying electricity to the heating element and having its individual conductors fastened to said terminals, and a strain relief and abrasion preventing member swivelled to rotate with said swivelling member and having means engaging said cord and additional spaced means separately engaging the individual conductors of said cord.

4. In an electric heating iron, a main body part comprising a sole plate, a cover shell and an electric heating unit therein, a handle fastened to said body and having a cylindrical recess formed in the rear part thereof, a swivelling cup-shaped member swivelled to the bottom of said recess for free oscillating movements, said swivel member having an opening in the side wall thereof and the rear part of said handle having an arcuate lateral slot formed to the rear of said recess and an electric cord passing through said slot and said opening in said swivel member for supplying electricity to the heating element, said cord being provided with outer and inner sleeves at its point of entrance into said swivelling member together with a flexible cord protector disposed between said sleeves.

5. In an electric heating iron, a main body part comprising a sole plate, a cover shell and an electric heating unit therein, a handle fastened to said body and having a cylindrical recess formed in the rear part thereof, a swivelling cupshaped member swivelled to the bottom of said recess for free oscillating movements, said swivel member having an opening in the side wall thereof and the rear part of said handle having 9. lateral slot formed to the rear of said recess and an electric cord passing through said slot and said opening in said swivel member for supplying electricity to the heating element and comprising within the rear body portion thereof an insulating barrier, said barrier housing electric terminal means and the conductors of said cord being fastened thereto.

6. In an electric heating iron, a main body part comprising a sole plate, a cover shell and an electric heating unit therein, a handle fastened to said body and having a cylindrical recess formed in the rear part thereof, a swivelling cup-shaped member swivelled to the bottom of said recess for free oscillating movements, said swivel member having an opening in the side wall thereof and the rear part of said handle having an arouate lateral slot formed to the rear of said recess and an electric cord passing through said slot and said opening in said swivel member for supplying electricity to the heating element, said cord being provided with outer and inner sleeves at its point of entrance into said swivelling member together with a flexible cord protector disposed between said sleeves, and a swivelling strain relief member engaging th inner sleeve at the point of entrance into the iron.

7. In an electric heating iron, a main body part comprising a sole plate, a cover shell and an electric heating unit therein, a handle fastened to said body and having a cylindrical recess formed in the rear part thereof, a swivelling cupshaped member swivelled to the bottom of said recess for free oscillating movements, said swivel member having an opening in the side wall thereof and the rear part of said handle having an arcuate lateral slot formed to the rear of said recess and an electric cord passing through said slot and said opening in said swivel member for supplying electricity to the heating element, said cord being provided with outer and inner sleeves at its point of entrance into said swivelling member together with a flexible cord protector disposed between said sleeves, wherein the iron is provided with fixed terminals to which the individual conductors of the cord are fastened and a swivelling strain relief member engages the inner sleeve at the point of entrance into the iron, said strain relief member also having spaced ,recess for said cord which permits swivelling movements of the cord, said support having cord strain relief means comprising a strain relief member swivelled to the iron' structure for following the swivelling movements of the cord, said strain relief member engaging and firmly holding the cord at its point of entrance into the iron and having spaced means separately engaging and firmly holding the individual conductors of said cord at points removed from the point of engagement with the cord, said strain relief member comprising a swivel support arm, a part having an extruded perforation therein and a pair of arms having clips for engaging the individual conductors of the cord, the cord passing through said perforation.

9. In a domestic electric heating iron having an electric supply cord leading therein, a main body and handle structure having a recess for the accommodation of said cord, a support in said recess for said cord which permits swivelling movements of the cord, said support having cord strain relief means, comprising a strain reliefv member swivelled to the iron structure for following the swivelling movements of the cord, said strain relief member engaging and firmly holding the cord at its point of entrance into the iron and having spaced means separately engaging and firmly holding the individual conductors of said cord at points removed from the point of engagement with the cord, said strain relief member comprising a swivel support arm. a part having an extruded perforation therein and a pair of arms having clips for engaging the individual conductors of the cord, the cord passing through said perforation, with a sleeve disposed .in the perforation and immediately surrounding the cord and a cord protector sleeve immediately surrounding the sleeve and the cord. 10. In an electric heating iron having an electrical heating unit therein, fixed terminals within said iron for supplying electric current to the heating unit, an electric supply cord entering said iron and having its individual conductors connected with said fixed terminals, means disposed at the point of entrance of said cord into the iron for supporting and permitting swivelling movements of the cord and strain relief and abrasion preventing means for said cord and conductors comprising a unitary member swivelly secured to the iron structure following the swivelling movements of the cord and having a pair of arms, each provided with means for securing and firmly holding each individual conductor 'of the cord which lead directly to the fixed terminals. 11. In a domestic heating iron of the character set forth, an electric heating unit in said iron,,

said iron having'a cylindrical recess with a swivelling shell mounted therein and also a swivelling strain relief member mounted therein and supply conductors passing through an opening formed in said swivelling shell and engaged by said strain relief means.

12. In a domestic heating iron of the character set forth, an electric heating unit in said iron, said iron having a cylindrical recess with a swivelshell mounted therein and also a swivelling strain reiiefmembermounted therein and supply conductor! passing through an opening formed in said swivelling shell and engaged by said strain relief means, and said iron having a lateral slot adjacent said recess with the ends of the lateral slot being engaged by the conductors to limit the oscillating movement.

13. A domestic electric heating iron having a cylindrical recess formed in the rear part thereof, a swivelling support for electrical conductors swivelly mounted in said recess, said iron having a lateral slot or opening formed adjacent said recess and an electrical cord extending through said slot and engaged by said swivel support with a flexible cord protecting sleeve surrounding said cord at its point of entrance into the recess.

14. In a domestic heating iron having an electric heating unit therein and means for supplying electrical current to said heater, comprising fixed terminals within the iron structure, a recess and a support therein for an electric cord which permits swivelling movements of the cord, an electrical supply cord leading into said iron through said recess and having its individual conductors fastened to said terminals and a strain relief member mounted on the iron structure for rotation about a substantially vertical axis and following the swivelling movements of the cord, said member being apertured radially with respect to the axis of rotation to receive the supphw cord and a protecting sleeve surrounding the supply cord, said sleeve passing through said aperture and having a shoulder portion within said strain relief member.

15. In a domestic heating iron'havlng an electric heating unittherein and means for supplying electrical current to said heater, comprising fined terminals within the iron structure, a recess and a support therein for an electric cord which permits swivelling movements of the cord, an electrical supply cord leading into said iron through said recess and having its individual conductors fastened to said terminals and a strain relief member mounted on the iron structure for rotation about a substantially vertical axis and following the swlvelling movements of the cord, said member being apertured radially with respect to the axis of rotation to receive the supply cord and a protecting sleeve surrounding the supply cord, said sleeve passing through said aperture and having a shoulder portion within said strain relief member, said iron including a handle having front and rear legs and said strain relief member being mounted within a cavity in said rear leg of the handle, said rear leg being provided with an arcuate lateral slot for passage of the supply cord .therethrough.

16. Ina domestic heating iron having an electric heating unit therein, fixed terminals in the iron connected to the heating unit, a recess and a support therein for an electric cord which permits swivelling movements of the cord, means for supplying electrical current to said heater comprising an electric supply cord leading into said iron through said recess, the ends of the individual conductors of said cord being secured to said fixed terminals, and strain relief means comprising a strain relief member swivelled to the iron structure for following the swivelling movements of the I 

